Mitski’s song “Bug Like an Angel” is a powerful and moving exploration of the themes of sin, redemption, and hope. The song’s lyrics explore these themes in a powerful and moving way
The song begins with the image of a “bug like an angel” stuck to the bottom of a glass. This image is both beautiful and disturbing, suggesting a world where the sacred and the profane are inextricably intertwined. The speaker then goes on to describe how they have become a “drinker,” and how sometimes a drink feels like “family.” This suggests that the speaker is using alcohol as a way to cope with the pain and loneliness they are feeling.
The chorus of the song repeats the word “family,” but with a different emphasis each time. In the first instance, the word is spoken with longing, as if the speaker is searching for a sense of belonging. In the second instance, the word is spoken with anger, as if the speaker is lashing out at the people who have let them down.
The second verse of the song continues the theme of broken promises. The speaker asks the question, “Hey, what’s the matter? Lookin’ like your sticker is stuck on a floor somewhere.” This suggests that the speaker has seen someone who has been hurt by a broken promise, and they are feeling a sense of empathy for that person.
The chorus of the song repeats again, this time with a sense of resignation. The speaker seems to have accepted that they will always be broken, but they are determined to find some kind of redemption.
The third verse of the song is the most powerful. The speaker sings about how they are “bent over wishin’ it was over, makin’ all variety of vows I’ll never keep.” This suggests that the speaker is at a breaking point, and they are ready to give up. However, the speaker then goes on to say that they try to remember “the wrath of the devil was also given him by God.” This suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of grace.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, this time with a sense of hope. The speaker sings about how they are “tryin’ to remember” that even though they are broken, they are still loved by God.
The song “Mitski’s “Bug Like an Angel”” is a powerful and moving exploration of the themes of sin, redemption, and hope. The song’s lyrics are full of imagery that is both beautiful and disturbing, and the song’s message is one of hope in the midst of despair.
Bug Like an Angel Lyrics
Verse 1
There’s a bug like an angel stuck to the bottom
Of my glass, with a little bit left
As I got older I learned I’m a drinker
Sometimes a drink feels like family
Chorus
Family
Verse 2
Hey, what’s the matter? Lookin’ like your sticker
Is stuck on a floor somewhere
Did you go and make promises you can’t keep?
Well, when ya break them, they break you right back
Amateur mistake, you can take it from me
Chorus
They break you right back
Break you right back
Post-Chorus
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Verse 3
When I’m bent over wishin’ it was over
Makin’ all variety of vows I’ll never keep
I try to remember the wrath of the devil
Was also given him by God
Outro
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Song credits:
- Written by Mitski
- Produced by Patrick Hyland
- Engineered by Trevor Tweeten
- Mixed by Chris Kasych
- Mastered by Greg Calbi
- Label: Dead Oceans
- Date: Released on July 26, 2023
